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Last week in Distressed? Part 1 Cry out to God, I shared I have been lamenting and crying out to the God a lot for my family, my friends and even myself. Though answers to my heartfelt questions and petitions seemed to be unanswered, I know must stand firm upon the truths about who I know God to be. Truths about His nature and His character. Truths that can be found in the Word of God.
Thank you to those who have sent condolences and are praying for our family as we lost my Aunt Sandra this past Monday. Your prayers and words of encouragement mean the world to me. Thank you! My Aunt’s salvation was secure and we know she is cancer free and walking the streets of gold.
If you missed last weeks post, you can read it by clicking here:
There are times in our life when things are more difficult than other times. However, it is in these moments that we must STOP. Take a minute, breathe deeply, step back, lean into the Father and listen. We must quiet ourselves and still the chaos that is swirling around us and turn to the ONE that can bring peace and speak truth.
Life is full of ups and downs, good days and bad, highs and lows, but the one thing that remains constant is God. He is always faithful to speak. He is faithful to show us the steps we need to take to get from where we are to where He wants us to be.
Sometimes, we need to STOP. Take a deep breath, step back, lean into the Father and listen. Share on X
The faithfulness of God in giving His children guidance and direction is evident throughout the pages of Scripture. I have been reading the book of Genesis and I am amazed at how patient God is. Often God would speak, or act and His people would hear and believe in the moment only to later disobey, walk in disbelief or blatantly sin.
I can kind of relate. Can you?
However, God is patient, loving, and kind. He is a God who forgives and gives opportunities for redemption. As I was reading Genesis 35: I was struck by a God who should be exasperated with Jacob and yet, He was not. A phrase from Genesis 35:3 stood out to me in the midst of a difficult season and has been replaying in my mind.
We’re going to Bethel so that I can build an altar there to the God who answers me whenever I am in distress and who is with me wherever I go. (Genesis 35:3 The Voice)
4 Steps to Implement When in Distress
Remember
We need to remember the times God has shown up and proven Himself faithful in the past. In Genesis 35:1 Jacob is told to go back to where God met him when he was running before and build an altar. Throughout the Old Testament, God has His people build altars of remembrance so that when they or others pass by that place again, they will be reminded of God’s faithfulness.
God (to Jacob): Get up, go back to Bethel, and settle there. Build an altar to Me, to the God who appeared to you when you ran away from your brother, Esau (Genesis 35:1 The Voice).
Once again, Jacob finds himself in trouble and needs God guidance. God reminds Jacob of His faithfulness and sends him back to a place of remembrance. There are times when we too need to be reminded of our history with God and stand on those testimonies. It is those testimonies of God’s faithfulness that will help us in our today’s
Obey
Jacob didn’t waste a minute, he immediately set out to obey God’s instruction. In doing so, Jacob took the necessary actions to cleanse himself and the people so they would be ready for God to show.
Jacob told his household and those with him to get ready to move.
Jacob: Get rid of any foreign gods you have in your possession. Purify yourselves: bathe and change your clothes (Genesis 35:2 The Voice).
As we cry out to God, we must prepare ourselves and our hearts to meet with Him. Just as Jacob did, we too may need to repent and return to God. Part of the process will be to cleanse our heart, our minds and our attitudes. We must be quick to obey what He asks of us.
Go
Not only did Jacob remember God’s faithfulness and obey taking the necessary steps to go. He actually went. Yes, Jacob needed to take action. He needed to step out in faith as a response to what God spoke to him. He needed to move from where he was to where God had called him to be.
Then come with me. We’re going to Bethel so that I can build an altar there to the God who answers me whenever I am in distress and who is with me wherever I go. (Genesis 35:3)
It’s not enough for us to remember and take steps of obedience, but it must be followed up with action and follow through. When we step out in response to calling out to God and He answers us, we must move! We can’t stay in the same place, or we will never breakthrough. God requires action on our part so we can have a testimony.
Receive
As a result of moving forward, Jacob was rewarded by God. He received a new identity and a blessing from God.
Now that Jacob had come back from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again at Bethel and blessed him.
God: Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be known as Jacob. Israel will be your name.
From then on, God addressed him by his new name: Israel.
God: I am the God-All-Powerful. Be fruitful and multiply. You will give rise to a great nation; indeed nation after nation will come from you. Kings and rulers shall be numbered among your descendants. Your children will one day possess the land I promised to Abraham and Isaac. (Genesis 35:9-12)
We will walk through trials and tribulations, but it’s through this adversity and difficulty, we are strengthened and made new. It’s also through this process that we will walk out the other side with a renewed identity and blessing from God.
Trials and tribulations will come, but it’s through this adversity and difficulty, we are strengthened and made new. Share on X
Again Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!
I have had a few people ask for a badge/button to display on your blogs. I would absolutely be honored if you would display it, or link back here in some way. Thank you!
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Debbie Kitterman is a natural born encourager who is on fire for God. She is passionate about equipping individuals, so they can go deeper in the relationship with God, reach their God-potential and claim their Kingdom inheritance. Debbie is a wife, mother, author, pastor, speaker and the founder of “Dare 2 Hear,” a ministry that trains individuals to hear the voice of God. She travels to churches internationally and is the founder and teacher of d2htraining.com, an online course designed to equip the believer in releasing God’s heart. Her writing and teachings inspire faith and build bridges for people to believe and expect the impossible. She is also an ordained Foursquare pastor, currently serving with her husband, John, as senior pastor of Restoration Church in Lacey, Washington. Learn more at: www.debbiekitterman.com
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YouVersion 7-Day Devotional
I am blessed and honored to have a 7-day devotional on the YouVersion Bible App. YAY!!! It is a great way to kick start the 7- days before my on-line Bible Study starts next week. I would be so blessed if you would check it out and share it with your friends. You can find it here: Be The Gift Someone Needs Today!
Have you had the opportunity to read my new book “The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement: Hearing the Words of God for others.” ? This book is about learning to hear the voice of God in our own life so we can respond to those God bumps and little nudges He gives us on a daily basis. God is calling us to be agents of encouragement and to be the gift the worlds needs today.
We live in a time, where those around us are in desperate need of a real encounter with Jesus and in need of encouragement. We are called to encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13), and to build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). My book will teach you how to step out and do just that.
To order your copy today: You can find it at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, OR your favorite online retailer, Plus, newly added, you can now get a signed copy from me. Click Here to order yours today!
We all have the opportunity to #BeTheGift of encouragement others need today.
This Wee
Do you wonder if God still speaks today? Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally? Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?
Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to move you forward hearing from God?
If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need. I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others. He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you. The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice.
God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?
d2htrainging.com membership site is open, I invite you to check it out today, and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.
Looking for other Great Inspirational Parties. Click Here to see where I Link-Up weekly.
Several Submissions have been featured at Blessed Transgressions, an Online Magazine:
Balancing the Warrior & the Princess We’re Called to Be
Trusting God When it Seems Illogical
Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)
My Post: The Reluctant Encourager was featured here:
My Posts: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year & And So Do We! & Know Your Why & Jesus in Us! were featured here:
My Post #BeTheGift was featured here:
My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party
My Posts: “Will You Sit with Me?” & New Mercies Everyday & Wait for it were featured here:
My Post: The Power of your Story, The Reluctant Encourager and #TeamJesus were featured here:
My Post “What’s in a Name?” was featured here:
My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:
Again, I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:
I am so sorry for all that you and your family is going through. You’ve done a beautiful job of reminding us (in your struggle) of how to press in to God.
thank you Rebecca. 🙂
Debbie, I am so sorry to read about the passing of your Aunt Sandra. She is with God, but the rest of your family misses her. Thank goodness that God is patient with us. Thank you for the reminders.
Thank you Laurie. You are so correct and I for one am grateful that God is patient and reminds me too.
Debbie, the loss of a family member is always painful and difficult. May we hold onto the hope we have in Jesus that we will one day be reunited, never to be separated again. Praying for you all and that God will bring the comfort only He can give during these times.
Thank you Joanne! You are so right, it is never easy to lose a loved one, even when you know you will be reunited one day in Heaven. I thank you for your prayers and words of comfort. 🙂
I pray for the comfort that surpasses all human understanding as your family grieves their loss, heaven’s gain. (((xo))) 1 Corinthians 15:19
Feeling all the hugs and loves today Susan. Thank you so much 🙂
I am sorry for your loss. laurensparks.net
thank you so very much Lauren. 🙂
This week I am sharing my Ultimate Nachos, Michigan Berry Salad, and a Mediterranean Chopped Salad. Have a lovely evening! Thanks for hosting.
thanks – they all sound delicious as always. 🙂
I’m sorry for the loss of your Aunt. It is encouraging to remember that God is with us, strengthening us, during hard times.
Thank you Lesley. It does make it better to remember these things during difficult times. Blessings
May God comfort and strengthen you during this time of loss.
Thank you so much Elizabeth 🙂
Sending prayers and positive thoughts in your time of need. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a blessed week.
Thank you Patrick. I so appreciate the prayers and positive thoughts
Your words of wisdom here are ones I need as a reminder in my own life. I am the person who finds the way until I take a wrong turn because of my own doing. I forget that God is who He says He is always and forever. Your last point to “receive” really stood out to me since that is my word of the year. It doesn’t seem logical when in distress, but actually it makes perfect sense. After we remember, obey and go we need to step back and let God do what He promises. Thank you for a great series.
Thank you, Debbie, for this insightful message from the life of Jacob. Of the four steps, the first one stands out the most for me right now. It is so easy to forget God’s faithfulness when we enter a new season of trial or waiting. We start to question if He is listening or if He will come through for us. For me, journaling about my steps of growth and His previous blessings has made a huge difference in remembering… What strength He gives us when we are faithful to recall His love.
You are most welcome Kim. You are so right, it is soooo easy to forget especially when we step into a new season of waiting or trials come. Journaling is such a great way to remember God’s faithfulness.